I work in a city-owned building, where artists and arts organizations rent out rooms. This morning, I went to the building office to pick up a replacement key for a door whose locks had changed. (Because the city is master of all locks, and in charge of keys.) I’m friendly with the building secretary, JS, and when I went to pick up the key she said she was annoyed with EU, a friend of mine who also works in the building and had put in the replacement key request for me. (Isn’t  bureaucracy awesome?)

I asked why, and she showed me the key request EU had put in. Specifically, my name.

“(Old name)/Rebecca”

That’s right, EU had put my male name -slash- Rebecca.

Now, I’m confident he didn’t mean any disrespect, and probably thought it would relieve any possible confusion in the building office. Except that I’ve worked in the building longer than he has, been full-time at work (and in life…) since January, long before he started at the building, and everyone knows I’m Rebecca. So he clearly didn’t think very hard.

I’m not that upset, and a lot what’s there really stems from unrelated transition frustrations, but it really got my morning off to a bad start.

Then, shortly before I was going to leave for the day, I got an email from the Executive Directors at two theatres in Chicago, inviting me (and a host of other people) to a “Chicago Women in Theatre” night for General Managers, Managing Directors, and Executive Directors of Chicago theatres. That one email totally turned my day around (as a bonus, I’m actually free the evening they’re going to hold it) and made me feel a lot better about work, life, the transition, you name it.

It’s kind of amazing how a little thing like that can really make you feel better. And maybe that’s not a little thing – it’s a sign that A) someone included me in the list of people worth thinking of in the Chicago theatre scene, and B) someone included me on the list of women worth thinking of in the Chicago theatre scene. But, later tonight, when I had my car at the shop (Sparky’s OK, don’t worry) it felt really good to be recognized and called by name, and complimented on my (pretty mundane) shoes.

And that is a little thing, but I’m holding onto it just the same.

2 Responses to “One Step Back, One Step Forward”

1. M says:

   October 16, 2009 at 8:50 am

   I think the E thing was absolutely ridiculous, especially because you have been there so much longer than him and why would he feel that was necessary? Especially since it was the secretary that pointed it out makes me think that other people who see the list (which I imagine is few) will have the same frustration or confusion.

   As for the theatre thing, that is absolutely awesome!

   I still want to go make up shopping for your birthday, I hope you’re saving up money

   Reply
   • Rebecca says:

     October 16, 2009 at 10:13 am

     Oh, we’re still going shopping. Don’t worry.

     Reply